Two years ago, the world talked of an "African Renaissance." After decades of failure and progressive impoverishment, Africans again had reason to welcome the future. Democracy was ascendant, market-oriented reforms were in place and political and economic stability held out hopes for growth and prosperity for the first time in years. In two short years, though, the promise has evaporated. Africa is once again in turmoil and there is little cause for optimism.
Last year, a National Intelligence Estimate by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency concluded that Africa faces a darker future than at any time in the past century. The report cataloged the many ills the continent faces: conflict, corruption, crumbling political systems, deteriorating economies, decaying infrastructure, disease, illiteracy and more.
The report could identify only eight of sub-Saharan Africa's 48 countries that had multiparty political systems, and each of those eight had political problems of its own, such as weak leadership and endemic corruption. Nearly half the nations in the region are engaged in military conflicts, either internally or with neighbors. Reports of genocide and other forms of savagery have become all too common.